Scenari Pagani
The contemporary theatre festival by Casa Babylon Teatro in Pagani
About Scenari Pagani
Contemporary theatre at home in Pagani
Scenari Pagani is the contemporary theatre festival that, every year from late November to mid-April, transforms the town of Pagani, in the Province of Salerno, into a key reference point for the experimental scene in Campania. The project is conceived and directed by Nicolantonio Napoli for Casa Babylon Teatro, a permanent centre for the promotion of theatrical culture active in the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area. The 2025/2026 season marked its 28th edition: nearly thirty years of uninterrupted programming, a rare achievement for an independent festival in Southern Italy.
A season, not just a line-up
The format is that of a season spread over time: eight performances distributed over five months, with evening events typically starting at 9:00 PM. This rhythm allows the festival to build a loyal audience and alternate between very different works, avoiding the condensed format of a short-term festival. Each season features a thematic title that guides the selection — «Corpi di scena» for the 27th, «Up patriots to arms» for the 28th — acting as a true cultural manifesto.
Who passes through Pagani
The programme features both nationally renowned artists and emerging companies. In recent years, the Auditorium Sant'Alfonso has hosted names such as Saverio La Ruina, Emma Dante, Davide Iodice, Oscar De Summa, Antonio Rezza, Concita De Gregorio, the Sotterraneo collective, the Neapolitan duo Ebbanesis, Andrea Cosentino, and Sara Bevilacqua. Alongside them, the festival showcases productions by Casa Babylon Teatro itself and works by emerging authors: it is also a place for debuts and premieres.
The Auditorium Sant'Alfonso Maria de' Liguori
Performances are held at the Auditorium of the Teatro Sant'Alfonso Maria de' Liguori, in Piazza Sant'Alfonso, just a stone's throw from the basilica dedicated to the town's patron saint, a destination for pilgrimages deeply felt throughout Campania. The venue, managed in agreement with the Municipality of Pagani, hosts other events throughout the year: Scenari Pagani occupies its most experimental and civic-minded space.
The AperiSpettacolo: local flavours before the curtain
One of the most recognisable features of the festival is the AperiSpettacolo, a tasting session that precedes the performance, curated in collaboration with producers and artisans of taste from the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area. Recurring partners include Ritratti di territorio, the Pepe Mastro Dolciere pastry shop, wines from Famiglia Pagano 1968, and Casa Memi. It is a way to link theatre to the local food and wine supply chain and transform the evening into a community ritual rather than a simple viewing experience.
A cultural stronghold for the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese
Scenari Pagani was born and persists in a densely populated territory that has historically lacked spaces for experimental theatre. The festival thus acts as a cultural stronghold: it brings contemporary languages to a provincial audience, complements its programming with Casa Babylon's permanent theatre workshops, and supports training paths for young actors. The patronage of the Municipality of Pagani supports the project, which remains an independent initiative.
Why it is worth visiting
- Programming of contemporary auteur theatre with leading names from the Italian scene.
- A long season from November to April, with a subscription option for all eight shows.
- The AperiSpettacolo featuring typical products of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese before every evening.
- An intimate venue where the distance between stage and audience remains minimal.
- Pagani is easily accessible from Salerno, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast.
Scenari Pagani — edition 2026
«Up patriots to arms»: the 28th edition
The 2025/2026 season of Scenari Pagani chose a decidedly militant title, «Up patriots to arms», to express an idea of art as a cultural battlefield. Eight performances were distributed between November 28, 2025, and April 9, 2026, all at the Auditorium of the Teatro Sant'Alfonso Maria de' Liguori in Pagani, in the Province of Salerno, starting at 9:00 PM.
The programme alternated between civil monologues, experimental dramaturgy, and productions by the resident company. Opening the season was Saverio La Ruina with Polvere; closing it on April 9 was Emma Dante with Il tango delle capinere. In between, among others, were Oscar De Summa, Davide Iodice with his Pinocchio, and an evening dedicated to the memory of Father Peppe Diana.
The AperiSpettacolo ritual
As per tradition, every event was preceded by the AperiSpettacolo, curated with local producers — Ritratti di territorio, Pepe Mastro Dolciere, wines from Famiglia Pagano 1968, and Casa Memi — which transforms the theatrical evening into a convivial moment linked to the flavours of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese.
Programme Scenari Pagani 2026
Friday, November 28, 2025
- Saverio La Ruina — Polvere. Opening show of the 28th edition.
Thursday, January 29, 2026
- Oscar De Summa — La sorella di Gesucristo.
Friday, February 6, 2026
- Casa Babylon Teatro — Non vi accorgerete di nulla, directed by Nicolantonio Napoli, with Christian Campitiello and Filomena Cercola. A show about indifference and individual responsibility.
Saturday, February 14, 2026
- Francesca Astrei — Io sono verticale.
Friday, March 13, 2026
- Corrado La Grasta — Non è stata la mano di Dio, in memory of Father Peppe Diana.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
- I Pesci — Supernova.
Friday, March 27, 2026
- Davide Iodice — Pinocchio – che cos'è una persona?
Thursday, April 9, 2026
- Emma Dante — Il tango delle capinere. Closing show of the season.
All performances were held at the Auditorium of the Teatro Sant'Alfonso Maria de' Liguori in Pagani, starting at 9:00 PM with an AperiSpettacolo in the foyer before entering the hall.
Highlights Scenari Pagani 2026
- 28th edition of the festival, titled «Up patriots to arms».
- Eight shows from November 28, 2025, to April 9, 2026, all at 9:00 PM.
- Opening entrusted to Saverio La Ruina with Polvere.
- Closing with Emma Dante and Il tango delle capinere.
- Pinocchio – che cos'è una persona? by Davide Iodice.
- Resident production Non vi accorgerete di nulla, directed by Nicolantonio Napoli.
- Evening in memory of Father Peppe Diana with Corrado La Grasta.
- AperiSpettacolo with Pepe Mastro Dolciere, Famiglia Pagano 1968, Casa Memi, and Ritratti di territorio.
Prices Scenari Pagani 2026
Practical information — Scenari Pagani
Location
Auditorium of the Teatro Sant'Alfonso Maria de' Liguori, Piazza Sant'Alfonso, 84016 Pagani (SA), Campania.
How to get there
By train: The Pagani station is on the Salerno–Naples line via Nocera Inferiore; the town centre is a few minutes' walk from the station. The Circumvesuviana station is also useful for those arriving from the Vesuvius area.
By car: Take the Pagani exit on the A3 Naples–Salerno motorway, then follow signs for the centre. Parking is available in the streets adjacent to Piazza Sant'Alfonso; on performance nights, it is advisable to arrive early.
By plane: Naples-Capodichino and Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi airports, both connected to the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area.
Tickets and subscriptions
The festival offers a subscription campaign for the eight shows, which opens before the start of the season, as well as single ticket sales. For information, reservations, and updated prices: Casa Babylon Teatro, tel. +39 328 9074079, [email protected], www.casababylon.it.
Tips
Performances typically start at 9:00 PM: those wishing to attend the AperiSpettacolo should arrive in advance. The venue has limited capacity, so booking is highly recommended. Pagani is perfect for a daytime visit to the Basilica of Sant'Alfonso Maria de' Liguori and for a detour to Nocera Inferiore, Sarno, or the Amalfi Coast.
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Where does it take place — Scenari Pagani
Auditorium del Teatro Sant'Alfonso Maria de' Liguori
Piazza Sant'Alfonso, 84016 Pagani